Can Orchids Live in a CFL Environment?

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Orchids, often identified with the tropics, grow on every continent except Antarctica, and many members of the large family of Orchidaceae prefer cool temperatures, according to Texas A&M University's Aggie Horticulture. Still, many types of orchids do particularly well in humid, tropical climates, and with proper lighting, indoors as houseplants. One of the best types of artificial lighting for indoor orchids, compact fluorescent lights, are not only affordable, but emit quality light that is beneficial to plants. Understanding what CFL lights are and which orchid varietals perform best under this lighting system will help you grow beautiful and healthy orchids in the comfort of your home.

All About Orchids

There are many different types of orchids, some of which are extremely hardy and others that are less so. One of the most common varietals are moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis orchids. Moth orchids are most hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 to 11 and are extremely adaptable to indoor lighting conditions, such as CFL lights. Because moth orchids appreciate low to medium light, they typically respond well to CFL lamps. Other orchid types, such as Carttleya, hardy in USDA plant zones 10 to 12, require double the light of moth orchids as well as some midday shade, so they are not the optimal choice for a CFL environment.

What Are CFL Lights?

CFL lights are more energy efficient than incandescent lamps and also emit less heat, which means they are less likely to burn your orchids. CFL lamps do not give off as much far-red frequency as incandescent lights and are similar to traditional fluorescent lights, except they are oftentimes coiled into bulbs to save energy.

Setting Up And Using CFL Lights

CFL lamps should be placed 6 to 12 inches at most from your orchid plants but do not let your plants touch the bulb. Use four 60-watt bulbs for best results when growing less light-demanding plants, such as moth orchids. Keep the CFL lamps on for 14 to 16 hours during the summer and anywhere from 12 to 14 hours each day in the winter. It is important to not expose your orchids to more than 16 hours of light in one day, as the time spent in darkness is equally as imperative to their health and overall growth.

Other Sources Of Artificial Light

Creating a CFL environment for your orchids is perhaps the most energy-efficient option for emulating natural light, but there are several other types of artificial light that you may use as well. Incandescent lamps put off mainly red light and a lot of heat, so it is important to monitor your plants carefully and ensure their leaves are not getting burned. Even though far-red frequency light is quite hot, it is not strong enough to grow orchids if used alone. Metal halide lights are more expensive than the other options, but they emit a light reminiscent of natural sunlight. Another option is high-pressure sodium light, which is a strong source of artificial light and is best used in conjunction with metal halide lights when growing orchids